Memorable Bus Viewing stories

[jaket3]

Hi,

Thought I'd share a story of going to look for a bus.

Was back in the UK in 1986 I think. I was just 15 or 16 and my dad was looking for a new Westfalia to replace his old one.

In those days in the UK you got a weekly paper called auto trader. And there would be small text ads and a tiny photo.

My Dad phoned up about a LHD bus in Newbury and all sounded good. Was being sold by an American chap.

So we went to have a look. Turned up and van looked OK. The seller turned out to be the CO of the local US Airbase. Greenham Common. This is where a load of US Nuclear weapons were kept. It was the height of the cold war. There were constant protests outside the base at the time.

Anyway we go for a test drive, and he takes us on route by the base. "Why don't we go for a spin round the base" he say. Why not we say.

So he drives through the main gates, lots of saluting and waving and in we go. For a drive up and down the main runway. It was at least a mile long. He points out where all the nukes are kept (They were on trucks, ready to be redeployed into random locations). I think we got the bus up to 75 on the runway. Hilarious.

We didn't buy it in the end. Can't remember why. But got another Westy.

Just thought I'd share that. Any one else have any memorable viewings?

[crukab]

All the Bays I've bought thru the years have not been running.....
I do recall in the '80s waiting a week after a '71 Bug had been in the Newspaper, calling the Lady that owned it, she told me if I came & got it, I could have it for free, I took the front plate off my Vw, put it on the Bug, drove it home....
_________________
Tom

My Pops:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604100&highlight=
I know you will always be with me, rest in peace with no more pain. 8/13/14.....

In the yard right now:
'51 Dodge 5 window truck
'65 Bug
'66 Singlecab
'82 Rabbit Truck Diesel from CALI
'86 Doublecab W/T
'91 Vanagon carat/wolfsbrg.Tiico
'88 Dodge Ram pickup
'11 Jetta Wagon

[alman72]

never drove a bus. for my first test drive i tried to throw it into reverse and poped the shifter right out of joint. It needed some work. So did I. I was not Bear-aware.

[MorkC68]

Cool story re Greenham Common.

You mentioned the protesters, the RAF took a Vulcan Bomber down the bottom of the runway towards the camp, the Pilot turned tail and sat with the rear facing camp.
Said Pilot had the brakes full on, wound all four turbines up to near full power and scorched most of the tents before hurtling off down the runway!!
_________________
Major; 1977 Westfalia Campmobile
- Subaru EJ20
- Koni Classic adjustable dampers & Empi Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bar
- 180W Solar System

My blog: https://twolatebays.wordpress.com/

[jtauxe]

My favorite bus sighting was in Jasper, Alberta. My wife and I were having lunch at a fine establishment that had windows overlooking the highway below. I spy with my little eye a nice little Westy tooling up the road. It's not like there are a lot of roads in the area, so after finishing up, we headed out to find it. Found the bus outside a grocery, and the young hippie couple inside was easy to spot. Good folks. We talked and laughed and traded info, since they were on a trip around North America, and... who knows?

Some weeks later, they showed up in our driveway in New Mexico, still on tour! Ha ha!
_________________
John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD